Los Alamos will be opening a new golf course in 2009, but only for a day. The 19th Hole, an indoor, miniature golf fundraiser will be held from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. Feb. 28 at various local businesses.

Kirsten Laskey

Aaron Lauritzen, wearing the white sweatshirt, and his brother Spencer try a few practice swings at the golf hole Friday afternoon at Metzger's Do It Best. Greg Metzger, the president of the hardware store, explained they decided to take part in the 19th

“I’ve wanted to do this event for a number of years,” said Bernadette Lauritzen, Assets In Action coordinator and golf course superintendent for the event. “The event will allow local businesses to showcase their venues while raising funds for a wonderful program.”

A variety of indoor, miniature golf holes are being created that will allow families and more experienced duffers to practice their short game.

The Chamber of Commerce and Small Business Development Corporation has arranged for ball chasers to register online for the event. The forms can be viewed at www.AssetsInAction.info or can be e-mailed by contacting Lauritzen at AssetsInAction@att.net.

The $10 cost per member is tax deductible and teams that register with youth and adults have a chance to win extra prizes, Lauritzen said. All checks can be written to the Juvenile Justice Advisory Board, a program sponsor, and mailed to 77 Isleta Dr.

Local businesses and service providers have signed on as hole sponsors and the search is on for local foursomes to register for a tee time. The holes are distributed throughout Los Alamos and White Rock and feature a variety of great locations.

“I know the drive to White Rock from Los Alamos is twice as far as the drive from White Rock to Los Alamos,” Lauritzen said, “but come on down and see what we have to offer.”

The Bandelier Grill, Homerun Pizza, the White Rock Senior Center and Visitor’s Center are just some of the spots on the tour for White Rock. “The men and women of fire station number three are going great guns for this event,” said Lauritzen. “They have a 529 yard, par 5 for golfers that know the lingo. I’ve heard a rumor that they may even make you wear their fire fighter suit while putting through,” she said.

Los Alamos will be equally exciting offering venues at the Best Western, CB Fox, Homerun Pizza, the YMCA, the Betty Ehart Senior Center, the United Church of Los Alamos, the Reel Deal Theater, KRSN AM 1490 and the Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce.

If a business would like to get in the game, there’s still time to tee it up, Lauritzen said. There’s no real construction required, holes are designed around items from facility. At KRSN, you’ll putt around radio related items, while at Homerun Pizza, you can count on sports memorabilia.

“Dave Fox from CB Fox and the Selvages from the Bandelier Grill and the Best Western were the first on board for the event,” Lauritzen said. “These businesses are probably asked for donations of items more often than they could say and this event is designed to bring people in their doors. My hope is that even with the early opening of the Los Alamos Golf Course that local golfers will support a fundraiser that is definitely out of the box.”

The Los Alamos MainStreet program has sponsored the fundraiser by providing the necessary tools to promote the event. A large banner for the overpass, newspaper and radio advertising as well as community flyers are all part of the assistance received from a grant.

Los Alamos and White Rock will unite for the Asset building idea and promote some intergenerational fun. Rumor also has it that the red hatters of the local Red Hat Society and groups from other local organizations are gathering teams to participate.

Check out the Monitor and AM 1490, KRSN throughout the next week to hear more about upcoming holes.

If you have questions about registration or would like to sign up your business for a hole, contact Lauritzen at 661-4846.